National Express Coaches Discussion

[Mwanesh]

Everyone thinking that current parks staff in Plymouth will have there jobs due to edwards taking over and TUPE your very wrong 72 staff are loosing there jobs only 20 drivers and 4 controllers will be kept on .staff currently are being kept in the dark as to what drivers and 4 controller staff are still gonna have a job.
Poor staff have been left hanging for wks today is parks last day in plymouth .

Sad day for all the staff being made redundant.

 

[henryb]

Single driver as far as Avonmouth then Avonmouth driver takes it to London? That's if Edwards has taken over already of course

No idea if true but two Parks drivers were chatting on my 501 journey a couple of weeks ago & suggested the Plymouth base would only be left with 'feeder driving duties' to just Exeter or Bristol? Also suggested there would be no maintenance or support staff left at Plymouth.

Based on tracking today drive swaps happen in Avonmouth

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Jan 2026 ==

According to Nat Express coach tracker under Edward’s the 501 has had journeys cut and the 404 seems to only run in one direction some nights. There are some bizarre totnes to Exeter 501 journeys that make no sense, anyone know?

 

[Sealink]

National Express changes...

Commencing 1 January
Service 040: Weston-super-Mare - Bristol – London
Service 100: Weston-super-Mare - Bristol - Birmingham
Service 101: Plymouth - Exeter - Bristol - Birmingham
Service 102: Plymouth - Torbay - Exeter - Bristol - Birmingham
Service 401: Gloucester/Trowbridge - Swindon – London
Minor timetable changes

Service 403: Bath - Chippenham - Heathrow Airport - London
Revised daily schedule with additional journeys serving Heathrow Airport. Reading (Mereoak) withdrawn on this service.

Service 404: Penzance - Plymouth - Exeter - Heathrow Airport - London
Westbound service withdrawn.

Service 501: Torbay - Exeter - Heathrow Airport - London
Frequency reduced with all journeys extended to / from Plymouth.

Service 504: Plymouth - Exeter - Heathrow Airport - London
Revised daily schedule with additional journeys serving Exeter.

Service A30: London - Heathrow Airport
Service withdrawn.


Commencing 5 January
Service 404: Penzance - Plymouth - Exeter - Heathrow Airport - London
Service 501: Plymouth - Torbay - Exeter - Heathrow Airport - London
Service 560: Sheffield - Chesterfield - London
Service 564: Halifax - Huddersfield - Sheffield - London
Service 717: Ipswich - Colchester - Stansted Airport
Service 728: University of East Anglia - Norwich - Stansted & Heathrow Airports
Local travel options discontinued.

Service 490: University of East Anglia - Norwich - London
Frequency reduced and local travel options discontinued.

Service 491: Great Yarmouth - Norwich - University of East Anglia - London
Frequency reduced, local travel options discontinued and Acle withdrawn on this service.
New stop at Cambridge introduced

Service 727: Great Yarmouth - Norwich - Stansted & Heathrow Airports
Local travel options discontinued and frequency reduced between Great Yarmouth & Stansted Airport.

Commencing 19 January
Service 131: Leeds - Sheffield - Birmingham
Frequency reduced on selected days of the week.

Service A1: London Victoria - Luton Airport
Minor timetable changes.

Service A2: London Victoria / London Paddington - Luton Airport
One night return journey extended to Gatwick Airport with minor consequential timing changes to selected journeys.

 

[Bungle965]

National Express changes...

Commencing 1 January
Service 040: Weston-super-Mare - Bristol – London
Service 100: Weston-super-Mare - Bristol - Birmingham
Service 101: Plymouth - Exeter - Bristol - Birmingham
Service 102: Plymouth - Torbay - Exeter - Bristol - Birmingham
Service 401: Gloucester/Trowbridge - Swindon – London
Minor timetable changes

Service 403: Bath - Chippenham - Heathrow Airport - London
Revised daily schedule with additional journeys serving Heathrow Airport. Reading (Mereoak) withdrawn on this service.

Service 404: Penzance - Plymouth - Exeter - Heathrow Airport - London
Westbound service withdrawn.

Service 501: Torbay - Exeter - Heathrow Airport - London
Frequency reduced with all journeys extended to / from Plymouth.

Service 504: Plymouth - Exeter - Heathrow Airport - London
Revised daily schedule with additional journeys serving Exeter.

Service A30: London - Heathrow Airport
Service withdrawn.


Commencing 5 January
Service 404: Penzance - Plymouth - Exeter - Heathrow Airport - London
Service 501: Plymouth - Torbay - Exeter - Heathrow Airport - London
Service 560: Sheffield - Chesterfield - London
Service 564: Halifax - Huddersfield - Sheffield - London
Service 717: Ipswich - Colchester - Stansted Airport
Service 728: University of East Anglia - Norwich - Stansted & Heathrow Airports
Local travel options discontinued.

Service 490: University of East Anglia - Norwich - London
Frequency reduced and local travel options discontinued.

Service 491: Great Yarmouth - Norwich - University of East Anglia - London
Frequency reduced, local travel options discontinued and Acle withdrawn on this service.
New stop at Cambridge introduced

Service 727: Great Yarmouth - Norwich - Stansted & Heathrow Airports
Local travel options discontinued and frequency reduced between Great Yarmouth & Stansted Airport.

Commencing 19 January
Service 131: Leeds - Sheffield - Birmingham
Frequency reduced on selected days of the week.

Service A1: London Victoria - Luton Airport
Minor timetable changes.

Service A2: London Victoria / London Paddington - Luton Airport
One night return journey extended to Gatwick Airport with minor consequential timing changes to selected journeys.

Can you provide a source for this please?

 

[MotCO]

So the 404 is withdrawn on 1st January, and replaced by an identical 404 on 5th January?

 

[Sealink]

Can you provide a source for this please?

National Express Agency Services

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Jan 2026 ==

So the 404 is withdrawn on 1st January, and replaced by an identical 404 on 5th January?

No, the westbound service is withdrawn, local travel options discontinued from 5th January

 

[Mikw]

What does the phrase "local travel options discontinued" mean exactly?

 

[markymark2000]

What does the phrase "local travel options discontinued" mean exactly?

People can't make journeys of under 15 miles basically. It's to do with registering routes as local bus services if passengers are carried less than 15 miles.

 

[cambsy]

Have heard from Flixbus drivers, that National Express is possibly pulling out of Cornwall, not running beyond Plymouth, due to various reasons.

 

[Deerfold]

This means we're back to one journey a day being bookable between Leeds and Bradford (often for less than the frequent local buses).

 

[Sealink]

One interesting fare anomaly for "local routes".
Penzance - Helston £5.50

PENZANCE depart: 0810
Plymouth arrive: 1130

Plymouth depart: 1430
HELSTON arrive: 1805

Penzance - Plymouth on the same coach is £9.00

Wonder if there are any more?

 

[Smethwickian]

NX Aston depot closes this weekend. From Sunday, 18 January, around 28 coaches and 80 drivers will be based at Birmingham Coach Station with maintenance at Leicester depot.
In an internal announcement to staff Mark Heffernan, UK Coach service delivery and safety director, said it 'significantly reduces operational overheads' and 'supports inhousing of vehicle maintenance at Leicester'.

 

[Titfield]

Caught the 2100 London Victoria to Poole service on Tuesday 13 Jan (pick up at lhr) and it was about 40% full.
The coach emptied at bmth after a few people got off at Ringwood. Just two left on the coach (including me) one for Branksome and one for Poole.
Journey was on time and driven to a high standard.

 

[Mwanesh]

NX Aston depot closes this weekend. From Sunday, 18 January, around 28 coaches and 80 drivers will be based at Birmingham Coach Station with maintenance at Leicester depot.
In an internal announcement to staff Mark Heffernan, UK Coach service delivery and safety director, said it 'significantly reduces operational overheads' and 'supports inhousing of vehicle maintenance at Leicester'.

Was it not a shared depot with the ring and ride services

 

[citybus2500]

Was it not a shared depot with the ring and ride services

It was, but the Ring & Ride contract was lost last month and NEAT no longer operates anything. The site will not be operational after this move.

 

[markymark2000]

NX Aston depot closes this weekend. From Sunday, 18 January, around 28 coaches and 80 drivers will be based at Birmingham Coach Station with maintenance at Leicester depot.
In an internal announcement to staff Mark Heffernan, UK Coach service delivery and safety director, said it 'significantly reduces operational overheads' and 'supports inhousing of vehicle maintenance at Leicester'.

Have Woods not got enough of their own vehicles to maintain, without these extras? As isn't/wasn't Bournemouth maintenance done at Birmingham depot too as buses were rotating between Bournemouth and Birmingham based work when they got to Digbeth so they could be maintained.

 

[317 forever]

I don't often come here during the week. However, due to the National Express flash sale I wanted to make sure you all know about it.

I have just booked an overnight daytrip in London (from Manchester) for late March for £11.15 return for example!

The link and quote are here

Flash Sale

For a limited time, save up to 50% on coach travel when you book early in our Flash Sale. Whether you’re planning ahead for spring getaways, city breaks or visiting friends and family, now’s the time to lock in great value travel across the UK.

www.nationalexpress.com

Our FLASH SALE is on! Save up to 50%
For a limited time, save up to 50% on coach travel when you book early in our Flash Sale. Whether you’re planning ahead for spring getaways, city breaks or visiting friends and family, now’s the time to lock in great value travel across the UK.

How to redeem your discount​

1. Use the promo code FLASHSALE, making sure to follow the terms and conditions.
2. Plan your journey using the journey planner above.
3. Enter the code at the checkout to enjoy your discount.

A few more details follow

The Details​

Book between 20–23 January
Travel between 23 January and 22 May
⏳ Book 3 days in advance

How much can you save?​

Save More When You Plan Ahead

• 25% OFF when you book 3–14 days in advance
• 50% OFF when you book 15+ days in advance

 

[coach fan]

lol pure desperation from a zombie company. It’s game over for Nat ex now.

 

[tram21]

lol pure desperation from a zombie company. It’s game over for Nat ex now.

What do mean? Sure they're not in their heyday but they still do provide a good service across the company? Not wanting to derail the thread though!

 

[route101]

lol pure desperation from a zombie company. It’s game over for Nat ex now.

Still rather have NX than Flix operating most of the intercity coach services.

 

[Mikw]

lol pure desperation from a zombie company. It’s game over for Nat ex now.

I sincerely hope not, more frequent than Flix round here, roomier and usually cheaper - and less likely to cancel. Be careful what you wish for.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Jan 2026 ==

I don't often come here during the week. However, due to the National Express flash sale I wanted to make sure you all know about it.

I have just booked an overnight daytrip in London (from Manchester) for late March for £11.15 return for example!

The link and quote are here

Flash Sale

For a limited time, save up to 50% on coach travel when you book early in our Flash Sale. Whether you’re planning ahead for spring getaways, city breaks or visiting friends and family, now’s the time to lock in great value travel across the UK.

www.nationalexpress.com

A few more details follow

Yep, just got a Leicester to London return for only £4.80.

 

[johncrossley]

Be careful what you wish for.

Note that @coach fan is not commenting from the point of view of a coach traveller.

I won’t miss them. Baring in mind I’m talking purely from an employee perspective. Not a customer. I’ve never used a scheduled coach for travel on all my life even though I could for free. Neither do I intend to.

I won’t use them purely for the fact I have a car that can do any coach journey at least three times as fast, direct and I don’t have to share cabin space with some of the dregs we get on board. I’m not even taking into account the worsening service provided by national express and my “colleagues”.

 

[coach fan]

What do mean? Sure they're not in their heyday but they still do provide a good service across the company? Not wanting to derail the thread though!

Financially they are close to bankruptcy. Well the parent company is. So much of the company has been gutted and sold off. There’s not much left to sell. Flixbus will replace them. That’s a mathematical certainty now.

 

[Sealink]

Financially they are close to bankruptcy. Well the parent company is. So much of the company has been gutted and sold off. There’s not much left to sell. Flixbus will replace them. That’s a mathematical certainty now.

The parent company being Mobico, back in November stated:
Group revenue YTD increased 5.4% versus the prior year
Large scale cost reduction programme underway with further opportunities being explored across the Group
On track to deliver adjusted operating profit guidance for the 12 months ending 31 December 2025 towards the lower end of the £180m to £195m range

Although this is also stated:

UK Coach revenue declined 7.4% largely reflecting the exit from loss-making entities in the NXTS business in H1 2025 and increased competition on key routes which reduced passenger yields. Despite the increased competition, passenger numbers were broadly unchanged from Q3 24.

UK Bus revenues increased 2.9%

 

[coach fan]

The parent company being Mobico, back in November stated:
Group revenue YTD increased 5.4% versus the prior year
Large scale cost reduction programme underway with further opportunities being explored across the Group
On track to deliver adjusted operating profit guidance for the 12 months ending 31 December 2025 towards the lower end of the £180m to £195m range

Although this is also stated:

UK Coach revenue declined 7.4% largely reflecting the exit from loss-making entities in the NXTS business in H1 2025 and increased competition on key routes which reduced passenger yields. Despite the increased competition, passenger numbers were broadly unchanged from Q3 24.

UK Bus revenues increased 2.9%

That missed out the 1.2 billion debt elephant in the room.

 

[nanstallon]

I find National Express more reliable, and cheaper than the railway. I appreciated the coach going via Heathrow, and shall miss the 404 westbound.

 

[Sealink]

That missed out the 1.2 billion debt elephant in the room.

Ah! That will make a huge difference

 

[JD2168]

An interesting sighting was made by myself in Meadowhall on 23/1/26 of 2 Aston Manor Coaches VDL’s on route 131, not very often you see non National Express Coaches on routes.

 

[Deerfold]

An interesting sighting was made by myself in Meadowhall on 23/1/26 of 2 Aston Manor Coaches VDL’s on route 131, not very often you see non National Express Coaches on routes.

Is it no longer common?
It used to be very common, especially when they were duplicates.

 

[nick291]

An interesting sighting was made by myself in Meadowhall on 23/1/26 of 2 Aston Manor Coaches VDL’s on route 131, not very often you see non National Express Coaches on routes.

You'd be surprised if you came down to Bristol way on any given weekend!